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He also rates as one of the top two safeties in this year’s draft. While Louisville’s Calvin Pryor sits atop some draft boards at the position, Clinton-Dix also has his supporters.

“I want the ball hawk,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said in explaining why he ranks Clinton-Dix as the best safety prospect. “I want the center-field guys, the Willie Mays guy. Not to say that Clinton-Dix doesn’t tackle. He does. Not to say he can’t cover man. He hasn’t had to do much of that at Alabama. But I think his range [is what separates him]. I like his sideline-to-sideline play.”

Clinton-Dix’s 52 tackles ranked fourth on the Crimson Tide last season, and his two interceptions tied for the team lead. He was third in passes defensed with six.

In 2012, he tied for the SEC lead with five interceptions, had 91 interception return yards, made 37 tackles and forced a fumble.

“Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is more of a deep-third, deep-half guy,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “He tackles well, and he can invert up into the box. I think he’s a complete player.”

Clinton-Dix believes he’s the best safety in the draft because he played in Nick Saban’s system in the toughest college conference, the SEC.

“I feel like I’m prepared for the next level,” Clinton-Dix said. “I’m a fast learner. I play fast. I study a lot of film. I study the opponent a lot. I fly around.”

Clinton-Dix has the game to go with the name.

Overview

It is a strong class of safeties at the top with three rated as first-round prospects. There is a drop-off after that, though Florida State’s duo, Lamarcus Joyner and Terrence Brooks, could become contributors. LSU’s Craig Loston and Baylor’s Ahmad Dixon could be special teams standouts.

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The Cowboys believe they have found their starters in free safety Barry Church and strong safety J.J. Wilcox. Wilcox, a third-round choice in 2013, played in 13 games, with five starts, and had 44 tackles. Church, who had started only four games before last season, led the Cowboys with 147 tackles, an interception and three forced fumbles. Jeff Heath, a rookie free agent last year, gained valuable experience last season in starting nine games at strong safety. Dallas has not given up on Matt Johnson yet, even though the 2012 fourth-round pick spent his first two seasons on injured reserve. The Cowboys, though, still could use a pick on a safety. They like Northern Illinois strong safety Jimmie Ward, whom they had in for a pre-draft visit, but he likely won’t be on the board for them in the second round.

Top five

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama, 6-1, 208, 4.58. He played in 11 games last season, with nine starts at free safety, and made 51 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions.

Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville, 5-11, 207, 4.58. He had 75 tackles, five pass breakups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles last season.